Like many communities across the province, York Region is grappling with increasing COVID-19 outbreaks and deaths at its long-term care and group homes.
The public health unit is reporting a swath of outbreaks across the entire region today — at 13 long-term care homes and 11 community care settings in Newmarket, Aurora, East Gwillimbury, Georgina, Richmond Hill, Markham and Vaughan.
Two residents of Markham's Participation Centre have now passed away: identified by their grieving families are 57-year-old Martin Frogley, who died yesterday, April 15, after testing positive April 9; and 53-year-old Patricia “Patty” Baird died Monday, April 13, five days after the onset of symptoms.
As well, two more residents died yesterday at Markhaven Home for Seniors in Markham, a 102-year-old woman who tested positive April 5, and a 92-year-old woman who tested positive April 9. Twelve residents have now passed away at the facility where an outbreak was declared March 22.
An 84-year-old man who was a resident of Eagle Terrace Long-Term Care Home, was Newmarket's first COVID-19 related death on April 12.
A resident of Bethany Lodge in Markham and two residents of Villa Leonardo Gambin long-term care in Woodbridge are also among York Region's now 45 COVID-19 related deaths.
With more than 104 long-term care homes in Ontario reporting outbreaks, the province is pouring resources into managing the devastating spread of COVID-19 among our "most vulnerable" citizens.
“This virus preys on the most vulnerable,” Premier Doug Ford said today. “Yesterday, we sent in the cavalry.”
Ford announced an “all-out plan” to fight COVID-19 in long-term care homes, including more testing and “COVID-19 SWAT teams” of redeployed staff from hospitals and home and community care to help the long-term care home workforce respond to outbreaks.
Southlake Regional Health Centre is currently assisting with the testing of all residents and staff required for Bradford Valley long-term care home, where four COVID-19 related deaths have occurred, and is on standby to provide staffing resources if necessary.
Among the 13 long-term care facilities and retirement homes under COVID-19 protocols are Southlake Residential Care Village, Eagle Terrace Long-Term Care Home and Mackenzie Place Long-Term Care in Newmarket, and Chartwell Aurora Long-Term Care Residence.
Two CBI locations, on Dixon Blvd. and Haines Road, in Newmarket, New Leaf Sycamore and Farm House in Queensville, Kerry's Place Autism Services in Pefferlaw and East Gwillimbury, and L'Arche Daybreak Group Home in Richmond Hill are among the 11 community care settings with COVID-19 outbreaks.
York Region public health is reporting 905 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 22 new cases today, April 16.
Of the 905 cases in York Region:
- 405 are confirmed in Vaughan (+ 11 today), 13 deaths;
- 232 in Markham (+ 5 today), 24 deaths;
- 98 in Richmond Hill (+ 1 today), 3 deaths;
- 73 in Newmarket (+ 1 today), 2 deaths;
- 40 in Aurora, 1 death;
- 18 in King, (+ 1 today) 2 deaths;
- 13 in Whitchurch-Stouffville (+ 1 today);
- 13 in East Gwillimbury (+ 1 today);
- 12 in Georgina (+ 1 today).
The number of hospitalized patients in York Region increased from 41 to 43 today, with 20 cases critically ill in ICU.
Resolved cases in the region now tally 112, which is 12 per cent of the total 905 cases.
As of 4:30 p.m. April 16, Southlake Regional Health Centre is reporting six COVID-19 patients in ICU, and seven COVID-19 patients in an inpatient unit. The number of patients under investigation for COVID-19 is 19. Total deaths remain at five.
The total number of infected health-care workers, which may include physicians, nurses and paramedics, remains at 51 today: seven in Newmarket; one in Aurora, three in Whitchurch-Stouffville; five in Richmond Hill, 13 in Vaughan; and 22 in Markham.
